A snowstorm will freshen the winter landscape across central and southern Minnesota on Sunday, with 4 to 8 inches possible south of the metro area.

A winter storm watch is in effect from late Saturday into Sunday across southern Minnesota into Wisconsin. Mankato, Marshall, Red Wing, Rochester and Albert Lea are all in the watch area.

The heaviest snow will fall early Sunday around the Interstate 90 corridor, driven by a compact area of strong low pressure shifting across southern Minnesota, said Chris O'Brien, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's regional office in Chanhassen. "We may get up to an inch an hour or more, and that can be pretty impactful on the roads," he said.

The Twin Cities metro area, which is not part of the watch, is expected to get lesser amounts of snow. There's a 57% chance the Twin Cities will see 4 inches or more and a 25% chance of 6 inches or more, O'Brien said.

Those with weekend travel plans are urged to check the Minnesota Department of Transportation's road conditions web page.

Henry Erlandson • 612-673-4789